2yr, 8 month old son keeps hurting me but not on purpose

[Carly3869]

Hey everyone, new to all this but I heard you were the best people to ask! Here goes, my son is 2 years and 8 months. In the last couple of weeks he seems to hurt me all day long to the point I feel like all I do is moan at him. For eg, treads on feet, stands on my lap, head butts me, elbows, knees, pushes me in direction to play etc - He's not doing it in a nasty on purpose way! Is this normal? I'm covered in bruises and feel almost scared of him because I know he will hurt me. I tell him off, put him on naughty step but he doesn't listen, gets up, I put him back, hurts me again. Vicious circle. Is it this awkward age? Any advice appreciated?

My daughter of similar age does this. But I do think to an extent she knows what she is doing. She laughs if I say ow.

I have to say the part I struggle with about parenting very young children more than anything else is this constant feeling of being mauled and pulled about.

Thanks for your reply so quickly! I don't think he understands that he is really hurting me. I feel so angry and frustrated when he is behaving like this. It feels like a constant battle, even to get him changed to go out takes so long because he won't stand up properly or climbs up on my knees, then flops onto floor etc! He's such a sweet little thing too and I hate feeling like this

I have no advice I'm afraid but your post really resonated. My dd is the sweetest girl but getting into her car seat, even changing her nappy sometimes feels like war.

Thanks so much, means alot to know I'm not alone. Maybe just a phase at this age

DS is same age and does same. I think he likes testing limits, seeing where he ends and I begin, feeling his power and independence. I yelp when he hurts me and he kisses it better. After being small and having things 'done' for/to him all his life it must be intoxicating to suddenly have the power to push, pull, pinch, wriggle away and resist! He is finding where the b

...boundaries are